The Write Stuff

Prior to Thanksgiving break, North High School administered a practice ACT writing exam to all juniors. We used a released ACT prompt, and had all of our juniors write in the cafeteria basically following ACT protocol. This is the second year North has done this exercise, and we believe it is beneficial on many levels. 

Each piece of student writing is scored at least twice by North teachers. Members of our English department, as well as volunteers from various other departments scored the student writing. Next week we will mail a copy of the actual student writing to each student's parents, along with the score, and a copy of the ACT scoring rubric. This exercise provides our teachers with invaluable practice scoring in the ACT format, thus familiarizing themselves with the expectations of that test. In addition we give copies to each student's English teacher so teachers can address an individual student's strengths and deficiencies in class, and parents get a copy so they can partner with the school and their children to work on improving student writing. Most importantly, students get an opportunity to write, and an experience that ill hopefully help reduce their anxiety levels when they take the actual ACT writing test in the spring.

The single most important strategy we can employ to improve student writing is to have students write more often. Even without feedback, research shows that writing improves significantly through practice alone. Couple that writing practice with meaningful feedback, and the gains in student writing achievement grow even more significantly. 

Each of the last two years, North has made improving student writing a building wide priority. We have asked teachers in all departments to incorporate writing into their courses. We made a 6% gain in writing achievement scores last spring, and hope to improve significantly in that area again. Your son or daughter should be writing regularly in most classes. If you are not seeing examples of their work, inquire of them as to what writing they are doing. Contact teachers for information about the writing expectations in individual courses. 

Most importantly, encourage your children to write frequently. In today's digital world, many if not most of our young people are "content creators". They write and publish regularly online in social networks and in blog formats like this one. Become involved in your son or daughter's writing. For information about things you can do to assist in your child's writing education, contact his or her English teacher, or call or email me for ideas. Remember, the best strategy is the simplest one - write, write, write, and write some more!!!